Riverton, Utah - The Riverton City Council reviewed park pavilion reservations because the reservations being made are not always being rented for their intended purpose—residential use.

In Old Farm Park, some residents are taking caution tape or rope and blocking off the pavilion area even though it has not been reserved because reservation isn’t an option. This has been worrisome to Sheril Garn, Parks and Public Services director. Garn wishes to allow residents to rent portions of Old Farm Park. The splash pad is not included into this reservation.

“Anyone can still splash if they want.” Councilman Brent Johnson said.

Basketball courts, tennis courts and pickle ball courts still cannot be rented, according to the facility use agreement passed in 2015. Only the park pavilions remain on the list of facilities that can be reserved.

In addition to Old Farm Park’s pavilion area now being a reserve able area, it has been proposed that the main city park’s large pavilion be opened up for commercial reservations. Riverton residents will still have the opportunity to reserve park pavilion areas before commercial reservations open up.

Garn proposed opening residential and commercial resident reservations from Jan. 1 through March 31. Those who have a business license in Riverton are able to apply as a commercial resident, Councilman Sheldon Stewart said.

After April 1, Riverton City residents, Riverton commercial residents and anyone wishing to book for non-residential commercial use, will be allowed to do so. Ultimately, the council, along with the parks and public services, want to give the opportunity to its residents to make reservations first, before opening up the reservations for non-residential commercial use.

In order to regulate the terms and conditions regarding renting these areas, Ryan Carter, the city attorney, recommended there be a deposit collected to reserve the pavilions. If the terms and conditions are broken by the individual renting these areas, the city will then keep that deposit to recoup the costs. Garn agreed that collecting deposits is going to help the parks and services immensely.

“Lately, we are seeing vehicles and trailers driving on the sidewalk to get to the large pavilion to unload.” Garn said. “Having deposits are going to help keep the honest people honest.”

The large pavilion located in Riverton City Park is the pavilion that has the highest demand for non-residential commercial use and for large family events. The issue that public services runs into, however, is when reservations are made under a specific name, there is another name being submitted along with payment information.

“It’s turned into an accounting nightmare for the finance department as well as us as we try to reconcile and balance.” Garn said.

Councilwoman Tricia Tingey agreed that this has indeed turned into a nightmare. To solve this accounting problem, Garn believes that collecting a security deposit upon reservation is going to help keep people honest and abide the rental terms and conditions.